i been playing for about 5 years , i can play almost anything just by listening , i can play metallica, godsmack , disturbed , rage, system of a down , i dont need tabs , i just listen to it and i pick up the riffs without problems, also i come up with original riffs and lots of stuff , but i just have 1 big problem i cant solo !!!!! how ican i practice im self taugh i have never taken any lessons help me any techniques????????
solo trauma
- Thread starter chenchio
- Start date
S
seafoamer
Guest
Re: solo trauma
If u'r ear is that good: listen to solo's u like, cop the licks, and take each little motif and mess around with it. Play the motif in different keys, augment them, extend them with something u think will add to them etc, etc, etc.
If u'r ear is that good: listen to solo's u like, cop the licks, and take each little motif and mess around with it. Play the motif in different keys, augment them, extend them with something u think will add to them etc, etc, etc.
DiminisheD-7th
New member
Re: solo trauma
the most important thing is to listen to alot of solo's you like and have them influence you. dont copy the phrases straight up coz it would just be copying, you'd want to alter everything to what you hear.
which leads me to my next point
if as you state you have good hearing and can play good by hearing, just develop your thinking to a point where when you hear a backing set of chords, you just hear what you want to play in your head. then just let your hands do the physical work
the most important thing is to listen to alot of solo's you like and have them influence you. dont copy the phrases straight up coz it would just be copying, you'd want to alter everything to what you hear.
which leads me to my next point
if as you state you have good hearing and can play good by hearing, just develop your thinking to a point where when you hear a backing set of chords, you just hear what you want to play in your head. then just let your hands do the physical work
Al.C
New member
Re: solo trauma
Everyone has there own approach to a solo. As I am not the fastest fingered player on the block I take a more melodic approach. I think as if I were singing (can't sing to save my life), rather than what riff to play next think were should the melody go. Now seldom do I actually think in long 12 bar melodies but rather short melodic statements that can be repeated, altered or lead to other melodic statements. If you have a good ear it should be easy for you. Start with some of the main "hook" lines and go from there. Keep your ears open and let your playing follow the changes.
Everyone has there own approach to a solo. As I am not the fastest fingered player on the block I take a more melodic approach. I think as if I were singing (can't sing to save my life), rather than what riff to play next think were should the melody go. Now seldom do I actually think in long 12 bar melodies but rather short melodic statements that can be repeated, altered or lead to other melodic statements. If you have a good ear it should be easy for you. Start with some of the main "hook" lines and go from there. Keep your ears open and let your playing follow the changes.
JammerMatt
New member
Re: solo trauma
Chenchio,
I used to be the same way back years ago when I was young. There was just this tremendous block to soloing, but I could pick up rhythms no problem. At the time I was playing rhythm to Priest, Maiden, early Metallica... power chord city, much like what you're into as well. My guess is that the rhythm playing doesn't require much theory knowledge to figure out, once you've figured out the whole power chord business, most of the rest falls into place.
At one time when I was young my Mom offered to get me lessons. I took a few and quit, I told my Mom, "he just wants to teach me notes and stuff......" I wanted to be George Lynch, not some school dork.
So, I quit the guitar for awhile (about 12 years), and when I picked it up again I decided that time was too short, I needed to get on the fast track, and took lessons. I took lessons for about 3 years, and played for about an hour every day without fail. My soloing still needs lots of help, but since learning some theory (I'm not talking rocket science, either), I can now sit down to a slow tune and play a solo that fits most of the time. It's coming along, and I'm better every day.
My advice... bite the bullet and learn some theory. Either take lessons or start reading on your own, or start asking dudes on this board for help. It is a very rare person who can solo without knowing some theory... it's like trying to write without knowing the alphabet. I wished I had taken my advice when I was 18, maybe I wouldn't be struggling at 38!
Life's too short to not be happy playing.
Chenchio,
I used to be the same way back years ago when I was young. There was just this tremendous block to soloing, but I could pick up rhythms no problem. At the time I was playing rhythm to Priest, Maiden, early Metallica... power chord city, much like what you're into as well. My guess is that the rhythm playing doesn't require much theory knowledge to figure out, once you've figured out the whole power chord business, most of the rest falls into place.
At one time when I was young my Mom offered to get me lessons. I took a few and quit, I told my Mom, "he just wants to teach me notes and stuff......" I wanted to be George Lynch, not some school dork.
So, I quit the guitar for awhile (about 12 years), and when I picked it up again I decided that time was too short, I needed to get on the fast track, and took lessons. I took lessons for about 3 years, and played for about an hour every day without fail. My soloing still needs lots of help, but since learning some theory (I'm not talking rocket science, either), I can now sit down to a slow tune and play a solo that fits most of the time. It's coming along, and I'm better every day.
My advice... bite the bullet and learn some theory. Either take lessons or start reading on your own, or start asking dudes on this board for help. It is a very rare person who can solo without knowing some theory... it's like trying to write without knowing the alphabet. I wished I had taken my advice when I was 18, maybe I wouldn't be struggling at 38!
Life's too short to not be happy playing.